2 Best Restaurants in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, Germany

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Enterprising young managers and chefs are well established in the East, so look for new, usually small, trendy restaurants. People in the region are extremely particular about their traditional food (rumor has it that one can be deported for roasting Mützbraten over anything other than birch). Some new creative chefs successfully blend contemporary regional German with international influences. Medieval-theme restaurants and "experience dining," complete with entertainment, are all the rage in the East, and, despite being often quite kitschy, warrant at least one try. As the region slowly rediscovers its tremendous beer heritage, microbreweries and brewpubs have sprouted up in almost every city. Pubs are a good bet for meeting locals.

Memory Café

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Sometimes only a pizza will do, and this bright, unpretentious café has enough pizza variations, including lots of vegetarian options, to satisfy any craving. For dessert, choose from 50 flavors of ice cream, 16 of which are made on the premises. An in-restaurant bar featuring the local beer on tap and wine by the glass or bottle, homemade desserts and waffles, and an outdoor terrace make this an all-around winner.

Strudelhof Kaffeehaus

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A good strudel restaurant is a rarity in most parts of the world, so why not apply the "when in Rome" rule and opt for the real deal? Tempting savory combos include spinach and potato, cabbage and mincemeat, salmon and spinachFor sweets, the classic sour cherry, pear, and cheese curd, or apricot are headliners, with or without copious amounts of whipped cream. You'll also find Kaiser-roll sandwiches and organic eggs topped with chives and served in a glass for brunch. Accompany your meal with a good cup of coffee, organic juice, beer, or wine.